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Customised for style
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Mahindra-DC Scorpio First looks the way you want to. This Scorpio looks ordinary from the outside but inside there is a complete metamorphosis
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Did you ever look at your favourite celebrity or some big-shot get out of their limousine or some such state-of-the-art vehicle and wish you too could indulge in such luxury? Imagine being able to access that kind of luxury and in none other than a S
corpio.
The new Scorpio First, which might look like just another Scorpio is actually a customised Scorpio from Mahindra and renowned designer Dilip Chhabria. Chhabria was called in to help to customise the Scorpio in such a way that the customer gets unlimited options and that’s exactly what the design guru did.
With the new First, customers can specify any paint they like, with any colour for the side cladding and they can even get interiors in any shade. Of course, you’ll have to deal with the unwanted attention the vehicle will get. And as tinted windows are illegal, don’t be surprised to find many heads trying to peek into the First to figure out why this vehicle looks like a normal Scorpio from the outside but has space-ship like interiors!
On the exterior, the only things distinguishing the First from a normal Scorpio are the redesigned front bumper, indicators on the rear-view mirrors and discreet ‘First’ and ‘DC’ badging.
To give you an idea of how spacious this vehicle is on the inside, let’s just say, you can open the door, step in, take two steps in and then, you see the circular entertainment centre dominated by a Sony LCD TV. Other features include a DVD player, JBL speaker system, Playstation 2, chiller, mini-bar, coffee maker and fold-out trays. You can’t see much out through the small window, which can make you feel claustrophobic despite the acres of space. The best thing to do in this vehicle is to leave the driving to your chauffeur and just sit back enjoy a drink or movie or if you like finish some extra office work or even read a book. The First comes with fold out, well-finished aluminium trays, reading lights and even diffused LED lighting. When not required, the trays disappear into the sides so neatly, you will never realise they’re there. They are undoubtedly the First’s party trick. Little buttons abound in the cabin; they power the tinted screen, retract or raise the television, work the lights and adjust the seat.
The seat of the First glides back and forth with a soft whirr from the electric motors. They move forward to quite a degree; enough so that an average-size person can actually enjoy a little nap at the back. However, on the downside, the seats aren’t the most comfortable around; the contours taper towards the centre and you find yourself sliding towards the middle.
The Scorpio First does have its share of problems. The ride, for example, is typically Scorpio and therefore, might just cause the drink you’re enjoying to spill over so watch out for that. Some ergonomics like the positioning of the door handles could be better, there are lap belts at the back, not three-point belts, and at a premium of Rs 6 lakh over the regular Dlx, Slx or Vlx you want customised, it costs almost as much again as a base Scorpio – but that’s a small price for some to own a car which is truly one-of-a-kind. In fact, the few problems should be taken care of by Mahindra before the car’s launch soon. Delivery will be within a month from the day the order is placed.
CHARLES PENNEFATHER
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